Amy Time

I've found a new coffee shop to read and write. It is called Cafe de Paris - this little hole in the wall, eclectic spot in downtown Louisville, CO. I can't quite figure it out. I assume it is supposed to have the flavor of Paris. I mean there is a statue of the Eiffel Tower wrapped in white Christmas lights standing in the corner. And yet, there are Chinese lanterns hanging from the ceiling and some very odd little reindeer candle holders sitting on the tables. I must say that it reminds me much more of a thrift shop than a coffee shop. (If you can mean that in the nicest possible way, that is exactly how I would like it to be taken.) All I know for sure is that the coffee is great and I can deal with the new age kinda crazy music playing in the background as long as I can count this as time alone. How I love my time alone.

Did I mention the flags on the wall above my head? There is one with a ying yang, one with a Jewish star, one with what I will choose to believe is a Christian cross (yet I'm not exactly sure), another of something written that I think should be a Muslim symbol, and one with a giant picture of the Pink Panther. Now that is the Boulder County that I love!!!

Anyway. . .alone. To my extroverted friends that word even makes many of you cringe. But to me, it is pure bliss. Now don't get me wrong. I would never choose to stay this way all the time. But o how I crave it. This is where I refuel. This is where I get to think and read and journal and feel the most like Amy. This is my time that helps me conquer the world every day. And without it. . .let's just say that you don't want to experience Amy without it. Ask Kevin.

So what is Amy doing while alone today? I am reading 2 FABULOUS books. Though I never really meant to read them hand in hand, they actually compliment each other quite well. If you get a chance, you've gotta grab them. Mastery (one I previously blogged about) is one for any believer who desires to understand the Kingdom of God and their spot in it. The Multiplying Church is written by Bob Roberts. If you have followed mine and Kevin's writing in the past you have figured out that we love him and his family and the impact he has made on our lives through his life lived out is off the charts. Bob is one of the greatest examples I have ever known of someone who truly lives out the Kingdom of God. See how the books go hand in hand? So read them if you can.


So what is my purpose for writing today? Nothing really. I just felt like writing. That is one thing I have not felt in quite some time.

Read Kevin's Stuff

This month Kevin is the featured blogger on a site called vinceantonucci.com. Vince is a church planter who has a cool church in Virginia Beach. He also has a big audience on his blog as he writes for newchurches.com. Anyway. . .all this is just to say, you should really read Kevin's stuff. Here are the links.

Blog entry 1
Blog entry 2
Blog entry 3
Blog entry 4
Blog entry 5

Another Olivia-ism

The other day in the car. . .
"Mommy and Daddy, guess what. . .God and Jesus and Moses are in my heart!!!!!!"

The Book that Will Change Everything

Okay, so we all know that the Bible itself is the most life changing book there is. Read it. Read it. Read it. And then after you have been doing that for a while, pick this one up to read alongside it.

Mastery by E. Stanley Jones

It's an old one. But it's not hard to understand like so many classics. A long time ago I heard a good friend talk about E. Stanley Jones and how he is one of those more silent great minds and authors. This book was written first in 1955, but man, it is rocking my 2008. I will be so bold to say that if you only plan to read one book in 2008 - make it this one. If you are seeking to figure out you and how you relate to God and his Kingdom - read it. If you have never considered something so deep - read it. If you are going crazy because there are things about yourself that you have tried to conquer but fail every time - read it. This book will change your entire paradigm of thinking about the Kingdom of God and your place within it. Mastery - The Art of Mastering Life.

It's out of print. Click here to find it.

It can be read as a daily devotional or a book. I find myself reading about 10 days worth at one time.

E. Stanley Jones said that, "The art of living is the least learned of all arts." In his book entitled "Mastery," he went on to say this, "Man has learned the art of existing, of getting by somehow with the demands of life, of escaping with half-answers, but he knows little about the art of living with all its demands."

Best Video of the Year

The Kentucky girl in me loves basketball, so this video, in my opinion, is a "MUST SEE." If you cry easily, beware! And also be ready to cheer!